Construction | UK Bar

Atkin Chambers is routinely picked out as a “market leader in construction” by market sources due to its outstanding bench of barristers, from market-leading silks to rising star juniors. Individuals here are eminently capable of handling the full spectrum of construction disputes, including the most high-value and complex proceedings, both domestically and internationally. The set regularly handles cases concerning infrastructure and high-profile developments across a number of industry sectors. Clients of the set include the largest developers, contractors and insurers in the UK and globally. Examples of members' leading work in the UK includes RRS (in liquidation) v Derbyshire County Council & Derby City Council, and URS Corporation v BDW Trading.

Keating Chambers “unquestionably remains one of the leading construction sets”, according to one instructing solicitor. The set is well known for the quality of both its outstanding silks and its accomplished juniors. Members of Keating act in complex domestic cases in the TCC, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, as well as in high-profile cases and arbitrations abroad. The set acts for clients across the construction sector in projects ranging from major energy and infrastructure developments to commercial and residential schemes. The set's members continue to act in the largest pieces of litigation relating to the Building Safety Act, such as Shepherd Construction Limited v Kingspan Limited and others. A recent example of members' top-level appellate work is Augusta 2008 LLP (formerly Simply Construct (UK) LLP) v Abbey Healthcare (Mill Hill) Ltd, heard at the Supreme Court.

4 Pump Court is known for its “excellent strength and depth” of barristers equipped to “handle the most complex construction cases”. A number of the set's silks and juniors have been instructed in highly significant cases, including Shepherd Construction v Kingspan, a multi-party cladding claim worth nearly £70 million. The set's excellent domestic profile is complemented by a strong international presence, especially in the Middle East. With expertise stretching across the construction sector, the set is equipped to handle litigation arising from energy and infrastructure developments and other landmark construction projects.

39 Essex Chambers continues to provide an impressive construction law practice with notable strength at both silk and junior levels. Sources describe it as offering “a real breadth of expertise in terms of specialist construction counsel”. The barristers are sought out by clients in the construction industry across the length and breadth of the UK, and also undertake a huge amount of international work. The set draws instructions from those on both the contractor and developer sides, including government bodies. Members of the set handle notable work in relation to high-profile residential and commercial developments, as well as cases concerning heavy engineering and infrastructure projects. The set's practice area expertise extends into PFI and PPP contract disputes, and the barristers have experience in complex cladding and fire safety issues, illustrated by members' ongoing role advising the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Other recent notable instructions include Lendlease v Shepherd Construction & Shepherd Group.

4 New Square Chambers maintains a strong construction law team known for its “excellent work on complex, high-value construction disputes”. Its strong team of barristers, described by one source as holding a “deep level of construction and construction disputes knowledge”, is highly sought after by contractors and developers to handle the full spectrum of construction disputes, and the set's strong reputation for professional negligence and insurance issues complements the construction law offering. Barristers at the set have acted in notable cladding cases, including Shepherd Construction Limited v Kingspan and Others, and in Court of Appeal cases such as Global Switch Estates Ltd v Sudlows. Chambers also has a reputable international construction disputes practice, in addition to its extensive TCC and domestic ADR expertise.

Crown Office Chambers is a highly regarded set with notable construction silks and a strong group of barristers at the junior end. The set is “very impressive in construction” due to the presence of “multiple heavy hitters”, says an instructing solicitor. The barristers act for the full breadth of construction industry clients, including developers, contractors, and design and engineering professionals. The set offers excellent additional capabilities in construction insurance and professional negligence cases. The barristers are highly experienced in construction disputes arising in the social and transport infrastructure area and the energy sectors. Recent notable instructions include acting for Veolia in Sheffield Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust v Veolia Energy & Utility Services UK plc and others, and One Hyde Park v Laing O’Rourke. Barristers at Crown Office Chambers also regularly feature in cases concerning major commercial developments.

Gatehouse Chambers has a notable reputation for handling construction law disputes, and a particularly strong offering of senior juniors. The barristers at the set are able to bring broader expertise in areas such as professional negligence, insurance and property damage to their construction cases. An interviewee comments the set offers “strength in depth at all levels of seniority”, and another notes that “they understand the construction industry and how it operates, not just what the books say”. Members are highly capable across a broad range of construction disputes, including those concerning emerging fire safety and cladding issues. Members of the set have acted in the high-stakes dispute Sky Broadcasting Ltd, Mace Ltd v Insurers and in a number of other multi-party disputes, including Valero v WB Civil & JN Piling. Gatehouse's barristers make regular appearances in the TCC and handle various ADR proceedings for clients involved in project disputes arising from a range of industry sectors.

James Duncan-Hartill is the practice director.